FZR1000 vs FJ1200 rims

[ezunix]

Hi guys.

It's hard to find a '87-88 FZR1000 rim but I found a nice JF1200 one. Anyway...besides FZR1000 rims being 3.5" wide and the FJ1200 '89 rims being 3.0" wide, what's the difference really?

[Firehawk068]

Hi guys.
It's hard to find a '87-88 FZR1000 rim but I found a nice JF1200 one. Anyway...besides FZR1000 rims being 3.5" wide and the FJ1200 '89 rims being 3.0" wide, what's the difference really?

The 1/2" wider wheel allows the front tire (120/70-17) a slightly better profile.
It's not as pinched on the wider rim, and gives you slightly better contact-patch.
You will be able to use more of the available tread of the tire.

Most normal riders would never be able to notice the difference. Those that push the limits, will notice a slightly more planted front end. 

[fj1289]

Get the 3" FJ rim now and run it while you wait to find the correct FZR rim - just my two cents worth

[ezunix]

Get the 3" FJ rim now and run it while you wait to find the correct FZR rim - just my two cents worth

Actually I just found a correct FZR rim, just after I posted my question. But it's in pretty bad shape and I need to have it sandblasted and powder coated. The rim would cost 3 times more than the FJ1200 rim I also found - which looks like new.
This article http://www.fj1200.info/Rims.htm is suggesting that a 110/70/17 front tyre and a FJ1200 rim would make a nice combo.
But the guy who wrote it also says there is a huge difference between the rims.
Is the difference between them really as big as he states ? If so then I would go for the FZR rim.

[FJmonkey]

Steve (Morarman) runs a stock front wheel with a 110 wide tire. He is quick in the corners, no problems with sport riding. Unless you are ride out to the edge of your tires the 3" wheel will get the job done and as already suggested, you can keep shopping for a good condition FZR wheel. A session with paint stripper will save the cost of media blasting. Paint with a rattle can and then clear coat it if the budget requires it.

[great white]

I went to ebay when I was looking for a 3.5 front rim, punched in fzr750 and one popped up for 60 bucks and make an offer. I offered 30 bucks and he took it.

They're out there, sometimes you're just in the right place at the right time. It's kind of a matter of how much patience you have to wait for what you want.

My bike is an 89, so it already has the 17X3.0 front rim.

I'm going to the 3.5 so I can go to radials.

Every bike I've converted to radials has handled better than the old bias plies. Better selection too since the 3.5 can accept a modern 120 radial.

That being said, my OEM 3.0 rim handles just fine. It has a bit of a tendency to "fall in" when cornering. But in all fairness, it's also the tire that came with the bike and it's old and worn. The flat center rear tire probably doesn't help that fall in tendency either.

[Bill_Rockoff]

FYI, you can run radials on the stock FJ 17x3 front wheel.  It rounds the tire over a bit more than you'd get on a 3-1/2" wide wheel, and you'll never get the bike leaned over far enough to use the outermost part of the front tire tread.  But I have done probably 100,000 miles on 120/70-17 front radials and every foot of it has been better than bias plies.

One of the biggest improvements I'm hoping for in a wheel swap would be weight.  YIKES the factory wheels seem heavy.

[stua1959]

A 110/17 radial works well on a 3" rim. I am using much more of the outer tread than when I had a 120 mounted and it turns in better

[ZOA NOM]

Just get the plentiful '90+ FZR wheel and drill your forks out to 17mm. You'll need the speedo gear and axle as well.

[MOTOMYSZOR]

Check this thread: http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=13479.15

I did on my set few kilometres and I love it. Especially with passenger.

You will not notice it straight after swap. But after few km and few bends, You will know that was good decision.....

[ezunix]

So I just called a buddy of mine who told me he can drill 17mm wholes in my forks.
But does that mean I can use any other rims from any modern bike as long as the break disks are of the same size as on '89 FZR or JF1200 ?

[ezunix]

BTW, I already bought YAMAHA R6`01 calipers. Will they work with the '89 FZR rim?

[markmartin]

Just get the plentiful '90+ FZR wheel and drill your forks out to 17mm. You'll need the speedo gear and axle as well.

Does the FJ cable fit the speedo gear and the OEM FJ speedometer can be retained?

[ezunix]

Check this thread: http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=13479.15

I did on my set few kilometres and I love it. Especially with passenger.

You will not notice it straight after swap. But after few km and few bends, You will know that was good decision.....

Oh, so you just replaced the bearings in the rim. How clever!

[Country Joe]

BTW, I already bought YAMAHA R6`01 calipers. Will they work with the '89 FZR rim?

They will work after you swap out the 320 mm discs for 298mm FJ 1200 discs. The threads are the same on all the Yamaha speedo drives.